Spin Has a Direction

Angular momentum as a vector

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Angular momentum points along the spin axis (right-hand rule).
• Torque changes angular momentum: $\boldsymbol\tau = d\mathbf L/dt$.
• The change is in the direction of the torque, often sideways to the spin.

Steps

1. The right-hand rule
2. Spinning wheel in your hands
3. How much spin?
4. Turning the axle
5. Point the arrow
6. Flip the wheel